.
The
MGH Story
.
Organizational
Information and History
The
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB)
AIDB,
founded in 1858, provides comprehensive education and service programs
of superior quality for children and adults who are deaf, blind, and multidisabled
and their families. Through the Alabama School for the Deaf, Alabama School
for the Blind, Helen Keller School of Alabama, E. H. Gentry Technical Facility,
Alabama Industries for the Blind, Marianna Greene Henry Special Equestrian
Program, and Hawkins Chapel, AIDB provides educational and rehabilitation
services throughout a person’s life. AIDB operates Regional Centers in
Auburn, Birmingham, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Talladega,
Tuscaloosa, and Tuscumbia.
AIDB
has 1,059 full-time and 189 part-time employees and serves approximately
11,000 individuals and their families per year, statewide, through its
residential facilities and outreach programs.
The
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Foundation (AIDBF)
In
1980, AIDB established the Foundation to receive and manage gifts to support
AIDB’s programs and mission. AIDB receives most of its operating funds
from a state legislative appropriation, but it is the generosity of individuals,
foundations and corporations that move AIDB beyond the ordinary. AIDB’s
Hawkins Chapel, the Marianna Greene Henry Special Equestrian Program, several
athletics facilities, classroom technology, and expanding regional programs
are all made possible by private gifts.
The
Marianna Greene Henry Special Equestrian Program (MGHSE)
More
than a decade ago, Marianna Greene Henry encouraged her parents, Pat and
Marilyn Greene, to begin hippotherapy classes for AIDB students on their
farm. Her dream was to build a facility to help children with sensory and
multiple disabilities through horseback riding.
Tragically,
Marianna died at age 31 before she could see her dream become a reality.
Pat and Marilyn, with their son, Tim, carried out Marianna’s dream and
founded MGHSE in her memory. Now world-renowned and certified by the North
American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), MGHSE serves more
than 400 children who are deaf, blind, or multidisabled per year and offers
recreational activities to AIDB’s students with trail rides, riding classes,
and hippotherapy, or therapy on a horse. Through participation in these
activities, AIDB’s students exercise static muscles, improve balance and
motor skills, improve verbal skills and build self-esteem, confidence and
pride.
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Copyright 2005-2007, MGHSE, All Rights Reserved
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